China is not only a great country, but also a very peculiar one: here you can not only admire ancient temples and futuristic skyscrapers, but also accidentally break some law without even knowing it. Well, who would have thought that tipping is an insult, and buying jasmine can raise unnecessary questions? So if you don't want to find yourself in an awkward (or even unpleasant) situation, it's better to know in advance what is strictly forbidden in China!
Euros and dollars are not held in high esteem here
If someone is used to throwing dollars around on vacation, China is in for a surprise: foreign currency is not taken here. Even an attempt to offer euros or dollars in a store can cause bewilderment or even lead to a call to the police - the authorities strictly monitor the circulation of money.
Banks, of course, are ready to help, but currency exchange is a whole quest: queues, paperwork, passport requirements. Banks also have fixed opening hours - after 16:00 you can stay without yuan until the next day. So it is easier to fly to China with local currency.
Chopsticks are not a toy
Who would have thought that ordinary wooden sticks could be a source of trouble? But in China, there are strict rules: you cannot stick them vertically into food (this is associated with funeral rituals), you cannot pass food from sticks to sticks (this is how the bones of the deceased are transferred), and certainly you cannot string food on sticks - this is not a skewer for you.
Otherwise, you can eat as you like. The main thing is not to drop the sticks, otherwise the whole restaurant will condemn with a silent look.
Do not touch children and monks!
No matter how cute a Chinese child looks, it is better to keep your hands to yourself. According to local beliefs, the Buddha sits on the top of the children's heads, and an accidental touch can "brush him away". And the Chinese themselves generally do not like tactile contact with strangers - you can easily run into a disgruntled look (at best).
Monks are a different story: it is forbidden to touch them, otherwise you can disturb their spiritual balance. The Chinese know this, but tourists do not.
It's funny that at the same time, the locals themselves do not hesitate to touch foreigners - especially if you have fair skin or curly hair! They can come up, stroke your hand, pull a strand or even take a picture without asking. Just take it as a local exotic.
Don't stare at Chinese women
In Europe and America, looking at girls is strange at all, but in China, such a look can be perceived as an insult: if you look too closely at a Chinese woman, especially on the street, you can run into a scandal, and in the worst case, an accusation of harassment.
Conclusion: it is better to look around!
Photographing what you can't, really can't
In China, this is strict: if there is a sign "Photography is prohibited", then it is there for a reason. Especially when it comes to military facilities, government agencies or strategically important places. Of course, you want to capture everything around, but if suddenly the guard starts shouting something, it's better to just delete the frame and apologize. Otherwise, the camera may be taken away, and the police will show increased attention to you.
Tip? No thanks!
In many countries, waiters are happy to tip, but in China it is perceived as an insult. The logic is simple: if a person has already done his job and received a salary, why does he need additional money? In some restaurants, especially in tourist areas, the staff may accept tips, but if someone from the management notices this, the employee will have problems. So the best way to express gratitude is to just say a few kind words and smile sincerely.
Jasmine and Winnie the Pooh are dangerous symbols
Who would have thought that jasmine in China is not just a flower, but a symbol of protest? It all started with the "Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia, after which the Chinese authorities banned any rallies related to this plant, just in case. Even buying jasmine in a store is not a good idea.
And Winnie the Pooh? It turned out that he is used on the Internet as a joking image of the head of China. As a result, Disney bear images are not welcome in the country. For example, if you come to China in a T-shirt with Vinnie, they may ask you to take it off.
Reincarnation can only be done with the permission of the government
No, this is not a joke: in China, it is officially forbidden to be reborn without the approval of the authorities! The law primarily applies to Tibetan lamas, but if you suddenly want to joke on this topic, it is better not to. In general, discussing reincarnation, Tibetan culture, and other politically sensitive topics in China is not a good idea.
To sum up
China is an amazing country with its own unique rules. Something may seem funny, something strange, but one thing is obvious: it is better to know about the prohibitions in advance so as not to get into a mess. After all, it is much more pleasant to enjoy the local cuisine, ancient temples and futuristic cities than to deal with the local police because of an unfortunate gesture or a photo of the wrong building!
